The military supplies provocation by its nature and design — blow stuff up and kill people. There is also a requirement for containment of the consequences. Anons are that structure — assembled with the help of the military, but performing an essential mission task that the military itself cannot perform.

"The calm before, during, and after the storm" is not some empty motivational phrase, but intrinsic to a strategy that minimises civilian casualties during the transition. We save the world through an absence of suicides, breakdowns, riots, uprisings, and uncivil war. Only civilians can keep wars sub-civil, it seems.

I met with a junior family member yesterday. It really strikes me how much we will be needed in the coming days when those "rudely awakening" realise those they trusted were criminals or fools, and those they mocked were just honest and perseverant.

The reward isn't vindication about the war, but a peaceful purpose in its resolution.